Kochi Port and Shipyard Chart Course for Expansion

Speedy Summary

• Cochin Port:

– Celebrating nearly 100 years in operation, with meaningful growth driving the local economy.
– Cargo movement increased threefold over two decades-12 million tonnes in 2003-04 to an all-time high of 37.75 million tonnes by FY2024-25; liquid bulk cargo dominated, including crude oil and petroleum products.
– Container traffic reached 834,665 TEUs in FY2024-25 with a regional transshipment share of 169,562 TEUs-an annual increase of ~11%.
– Logistics expansion linked to Kochi’s export sectors like marine products and spices noted.
– Challenges: Underperformance at Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) and incomplete supporting infrastructure despite its commissioning over a decade ago. Plans underway to deepen ICTT’s vessel channel from current depth (14.5m) to enable larger ships, amidst Vizhinjam port competition.
– Cruise tourism envisioned as part of future economic expansion for Kochi’s broader tourism sector.

• Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL):

– India’s largest shipbuilding firm; record-breaking net profits ₹813 crore in FY23-24 and ₹842 crore (following financial yr). Largest tech milestone being INS VIKRANT aircraft construction boosting CSL rep globally custom orders breaching Norway+Fleet demand @$1ly Ship Repairิ่ม